Chris Treadway: Contra Costa College holding Hall of Fame gala

Contra Costa College will have a disco theme for this year's Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Nov. 16 at the Courtyard by Marriott, 3150 Garrity Way in Richmond.

The evening starts with a 6 p.m. social hour, followed by the 7 p.m. ceremony for the four individuals and organizations that make up the Class of 2012-13.

The annual gala is hosted by the Contra Costa College Foundation Board in recognition of outstanding community supporters, former employees and students from the San Pablo campus who have made a difference.

This year's inductees:

Doctor's Medical Center in San Pablo will be recognized for its role as a teaching community hospital that hosts nursing students from CCC and Los Medanos College. "Doctor's Medical Center has been very accommodating throughout the years in helping to educate CCC students and modeling excellent career values."

Longtime staff member Gloria Gideon will be honored for a career that saw her start as a financial aid assistant and then librarian at CCC. She is a charter member of the school's African-American Staff Association, "a major contributor to the annual scholarship drives and fundraisers," active with the Friends of the Library and the California Black Librarian's Caucus, and is "well respected for her values of diversity and mentoring the next generation of leaders."

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Vincent Maiorana will be cited for his 33 years as a football coach and two years as track coach during a 39-year career that saw him also serve as department chairman, division chairman and athletic director. He has already been inducted into the California Football Hall of Fame.

Former Richmond City Councilwoman Maria Theresa Viramontes was a student at CCC from 1969-'71, when she advocated for a Chicano Studies Department and later became a part-time instructor for its Summer Readiness Program. Viramontes is also the first woman elected to the Contra Costa Community College District board of trustees.

Tickets to the gala are $100 each, and proceeds benefit scholarships and programs at CCC. For more details, contact Melody Hanson at 510-235-7800, ext. 4206 or mhanson@contracosta.edu.

CALL FOR HELP FROM SALVATION ARMY: The Salvation Army in the North East Bay, based in El Sobrante, has increased the number of Christmas baskets for needy families in the area from 400 to 450 because of high demand and "the requests just keep coming in," said Capt. John Hermanson of the El Sobrante/Richmond Corps.

The problem is that donations are down and stocks of dry and canned food are depleted because of the requests for assistance from the corps' regular distribution programs.

"Normally in October and November we are stockpiling for the holiday season for Thanksgiving dinner and for the Christmas baskets. By this time, we usually have hundreds of boxes of dry goods and canned goods stashed away in the storage room waiting for the Christmas distribution," Hermanson said. "This year, we have completely empty storage rooms to date."

Food donations will be accepted at the Salvation Army, 4600 Appian Way in El Sobrante. Call 510-262-0500 for more details.

"As many people are unemployed this year, we want to make sure that Christmas baskets are more than just a few items to supplement Christmas. We'd like to have full baskets for families this year, including toys for the kids under 12," Hermanson said, adding that he expects demand to be "well in excess of what we have been doing over the last few years."

The organization also needs volunteers for the Christmas season.

The Salvation Army will also host a full traditional Thanksgiving dinner from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 22. All it asks is a phone call reservation at 510-262-0500 for the dinner, and it will even have transportation available for those in the area who need a ride.

WEST COUNTY NOTES: A blood drive is being hosted by El Cerrito High School from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday in the small gymnasium at 540 Ashbury Ave. Anyone is welcome to participate.

Rose Loveall from Morningsun Herb Farm in Vacaville will discuss "Winter Gardening and Winter Herbs" when the Pinole Garden Club meets at 1 p.m. Tuesday in the Alex Clark Room of the Public Safety Facility, 880 Tennent Ave. The community is welcome. Details: 510-758-0462.

A second community workshop on making the stretch of San Pablo Avenue between Rivers Street and Hilltop Drive safer will be hosted by San Pablo from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Wanlass Park Community Center, San Pablo Avenue at Rivers Street. The meeting will discuss the first round of street concept designs, and snacks, refreshments, child care and Spanish translation will be provided.